Iris 'After the Storm' (TB) — Clump forming

Overview

Iris 'After the Storm' (TB) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Iris 'After the Storm' (TB) grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, cut flowers and flower borders and beds.

About

Iris 'After the Storm' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae that produces summer blooms from May to July. It has deciduous foliage and suits a sunny, sheltered spot on neutral loam that drains freely. Plants form neat clumps that work well in borders, containers and as a source of cut flowers. Hardy to H6 (very hardy) in UK gardens.

About the genus

Iris takes its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and for once the naming feels entirely earned. I can't think of another genus that covers so much ground — inky purples, burnt apricots, clean whites, blues that seem lit from inside — or so many situations. There are bearded irises that want their rhizomes baked in full sun, Siberian types happy in ordinary border soil, and species that will sit contentedly at the edge of a pond. What they share is the flower: three petals standing up, three falling away, built with a kind of architectural confidence most plants never attempt. Even out of bloom the foliage earns its place — those upright fans of blue-green leaves hold a border together for months. I grow them for the fortnight in May and June when nothing else in the garden can compete, and I've made my peace with that. Some plants are for the long haul. An iris is an event.

Written by Henry

In the garden

Iris 'After the Storm' is a named iris cultivar grown for its summer flowering habit and garden presence. It sits within the iris family (Iridaceae) and is managed as a herbaceous perennial with deciduous leaves, forming compact clumps rather than long-lived single stems. Give Iris 'After the Storm' a position in full sun on a neutral loam that does not remain waterlogged; well-drained soil is important. A south-, east- or west-facing aspect will provide the light it needs while a sheltered site reduces wind damage to flowering stems. It is rated H6, meaning it is very hardy across most UK gardens provided rhizomes are not left in standing water. Use this iris in mixed flower borders, courtyard or city gardens, patio containers and as a cut-flower source: its flowering window runs from May to July. Plant where the clump can be seen and tied into summer planting schemes so stems can be cut for vases when in full bloom; those cut stems reliably extend the season of fresh flowers indoors through early summer.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Iris 'After the Storm' (TB) size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds